In this inspiring episode, host Enzi welcomes Acacia Bettencourt, a talented visual designer and advocate for inclusive design. Acacia shares insights from her decade-long journey in design and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), discussing how her multifaceted identity as a mixed-race designer, mother-to-be, and advocate informs her work. From her time working with global nonprofits to her current role at Brevity & Wit, Acacia’s focus has been on making visual design more equitable, respectful, and accessible.

The conversation dives into practical tips for more inclusive design, covering topics like legibility and contrast, the careful selection of photos, and designing with diverse functionality in mind. Acacia also reflects on the impact of physical workspace design on personal well-being and creativity, sharing how she’s tailored her own home office to meet her unique needs.

Whether you’re a designer, an advocate for inclusivity, or simply curious about creating a more welcoming world through design, this episode offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Tune in and join us as we explore how thoughtful, inclusive design can transform spaces and experiences for all.

Connect with Acacia further: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acaciabetancourt/

https://www.instagram.com/spottingracism/

In this episode, Enzi is in conversation with award-winning product designer Kaly Ryan, founder of Capella Design. With over a decade of experience in furniture design and manufacturing, Kaly shares how her company is transforming the way we think about home mobility aids, like shower chairs and grab bars. Capella Design integrates both beauty and function to create products that enhance physical and emotional well-being at home. Join us as we discuss the power of aesthetic mobility aids, the design process, and Kaly’s advocacy for reducing the stigma around accessible furniture. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how thoughtful design can make a difference in people’s lives. https://www.instagram.com/designbycapella?igsh=MXc2eGFremUyaDAxZQ==

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Hannah Silver, a passionate advocate for inclusive and sustainable design. As a key member of Holst Architecture, Hannah leverages her background in architecture and urban planning to champion health, equity, and the needs of spatially marginalized communities.

In this episode, we dive into Hannah's journey—from founding Informal/Function to her current role at Holst—where she helps project teams integrate equitable community engagement strategies into their designs. We explore the critical intersection of personal experience and professional practice, as Hannah shares how her identity as a queer woman with an invisible disability informs her approach to teaching and designing.

With insights on workshop facilitation and design justice, Hannah emphasizes the importance of centering diverse voices in the built environment. Tune in to discover practical strategies for making design accessible and welcoming for everyone, and learn how we can all contribute to a more inclusive future.

✨ Whether you’re a design professional, educator, or simply passionate about creating spaces for every body, this episode is filled with inspiration and actionable ideas!

Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts with us!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansil/ https://informalfunction.thinkific.com/collections

Friends, welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of "Room For Every Body" Today, we have a wonderful guest, Katie Selby, who will take us on a journey through her unique experiences and identities. Katie shares candidly about her journey as a person with language impairment and learning disabilities. From being nonverbal at a young age to discovering her own methods of expression through body language, Katie's resilience shines through her story. Now, as a paraprofessional for children with special needs, Katie lends her support and guidance to students, helping them navigate the challenges they face. Join us as we dive deeper into Katie's life, exploring the importance of understanding and advocacy, and discovering the spaces that have shaped her along the way. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the importance of self-advocacy.

Learn More about Katie Here: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047780778306&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Instagram: https://instagram.com/collegematerialgirl?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Tune in for an interesting conversation with Christiane about transforming a home office space! She highlights the ways that she brought in a feminine touch as well as nods to her culture. Christiane also talks about holistic health and one trick in her space that helps with her back pain!

Learn more about the work that she is doing here:

www.hellohappnest.com

IG: hello.happy.nest

FB: hello.happy.nest

Podcast: Happy Health Hustle Podcast

In this episode of "Room For Every Body" we dive into a conversation with Avery, a 16-year-old podcast host. Avery shares her journey of self-discovery and explores the various identities that shape her life. From her love for books and mental health advocacy to her academic pursuits, Avery showcases how these identities intertwine with her personal space. Join us as we explore her bedroom and discover how it reflects her individuality, mental well-being, and connection to her loved ones. Plus, Avery gives us a glimpse into her podcast "I am Avery," where she discusses mental health and works towards breaking the stigma surrounding it. Get ready for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the importance of embracing our true selves and creating spaces that reflect who we are. Let's get started!

Check out Avery's Podcast here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3u64HywCskWSoF2dDlfpUe?si=9b75cd9dfc2c42f3

In today's episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Simarta Brennan-Prescod, a physician, coach, author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Simarta is a multi-hyphenate who also happens to live with chronic disease. She shares her experiences and insights on how she navigates medical spaces while managing her own health challenges.

Dr. Simarta Brennan-Prescod, is a board-certified primary care doctor at Optum Primary Care's Northeast location in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her background is in internal medicine, nephrology and hypertensive care. She is a graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and completed her residency at Overlook Hospital, an affiliate of Mt. Sinai Hospital in Summit. New Jersey. She completed nephrology fellowship training at St Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri. She is a motivational speaker to failing to success, Multiple Sclerosis activist, Elementry School activist for getting kids interested in healthcare. Her passion is helping patients and parents with chronic disease, such as MS, navigate in their workspace and jobs to be effective communicators of their needs and advocate for living in their authenticity but maintaining their privacy.

She is a practicing physician for the last 17 years and she has had the unique experience of being a doctor, a patient, and a caregiver to a child with congenital heart disease in the US healthcare system. This has driven her to share her story via publishing her new book May 2023. The book is called “The Parts We Don’t Talk About!”. The book addresses biases during medical training from colleagues, racial inequality while seeking professional growth, pregnancy and the treatment of doctors living with chronic disease, such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Her goal is learn, grow and teach from her own journey.

In her spare time she enjoys creating art projects with her 3 kids (9, 7 and 7) and restoration of furnitures. She loves scuba diving, traveling and reading.

If you need to schedule a free one-to-one call with her, reach out on her website. ⁠www.drsimarta.com⁠. This is the first step to create change in your life.

Website, social media to connect further:

⁠www.drsimarta.com⁠

Instagram: drsimarta

Facebook: drsimarta

On this episode of Room For Every Body, we meet Melody. Melody discusses her own health journey, having experienced frequent hospitalizations due to an autoimmune condition. She shares her frustrations with the traditional hospital environment and her vision for a hospital spa that focuses on healing and personal preferences. Melody envisions a space where patients can customize their environment, choosing their preferred colors and scenes, and where different rooms cater to different health issues with appropriate aromatherapy and healing frequency music.

Throughout the episode, Melody emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative remedies and taking ownership of one's own health. She shares her own experiences with herbal remedies and how they were able to improve their health without relying on antibiotics. Melody believes that no matter the condition, whether mental or physical, there is always hope and possibilities for improvement as long as one is open and willing to seek out the resources available. The conversation also delves into the experiences of patients in healthcare settings and the importance of patients and doctors working together as a team. Melody suggests that patients should not give away their personal power and should actively participate in their healthcare decisions. She emphasizes the need for doctors to be open to alternative options and to see each patient as an individual with unique needs.

Overall, this episode of Room For Every Body brings a message of hope and positivity. Melody's vibrant personality and her love for life shine through, as she shares her story to inspire hope in others.

Hosted by Elizabeth Byler, Room For Every Body celebrates diversity and encourages inclusive interior design strategies that promote self-love and acceptance. Tune in for a world where everybody is celebrated.